The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant NovelsBoccaccio, Giovanni
History
The Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant Novels
Boccaccio, Giovanni
Allegories; Frame stories; Plague -- Europe -- History -- Fiction; Storytelling -- Fiction
See neighbour, is not this your dearest Jewell? Having kept it awhile
in my wives custody; according to my promise, here I deliver it you.
_Spinelloccio_ being glad of his deliverance out of the Chest, albeit
not a little ashamed of himselfe; without using many impertinent
words, saide. _Zeppa_, our wrongs are equally requited on each other,
and therefore I allow thy former speeches to my Wife, that thou wast
my friend, as I am the like to thee, and so I pray thee let us still
continue. For nothing else is now to bee divided betweene us, seeing
we have shared alike in our wives, which none knowing but our selves,
let it be as closely kept to our selves. _Zeppa_ was wel pleased with
the motion, and so all foure dined lovingly together, without any
variance or discontentment. And thence forward, each of the Women had
two Husbands, as either Husband enjoyed two Wives, without further
contention or debate.
_Maestro_ Simone, _an ydle-headed Doctor of Physicke, was throwne by_
Bruno _and_ Buffalmaco, _into a common Leystall of Filth: The Physitian
fondly beleeving, that (in the night time) he should bee made one of a
new created Company, who usually went to see wonders, at_ Corsica; _and
there in the Leystall they left him._
The Ninth Novell.
_Wherein is approved, that Titles of Honour, Learning, and Dignity, are
not alwayes bestowne on the wisest men._
After that the Ladies had a while considered, on the communication
betweene the two Wives of _Sienna_, and the falshood in friendship of
their Husbands: the Queene, who was the last to recount her Novell,
without offering injurie to _Dioneus_, began to speake thus.
The reward for a precedent Wrong committed, which _Zeppa_ retorted upon
_Spinelloccio_, was answerable to his desert, and no more then equity
required, in which respect, I am of opinion, that such men ought not to
be over-sharpely reproved, as do injurie to him, who seeketh for it,
and justly should have it, althogh Madam _Pampinea_ (not long since)
avouched the contrary. Now, it evidently appeareth, that _Spinelloccio_
well deserved what was done to him, and I purpose to speake of another,
who needs would seeke after his owne disgrace. The rather to confirme
my former speeches, that they which beguile such wilfull foolish men;
are not to bee blamed, but rather commended. And he unto whom the shame
was done, was a Physitian, which came from _Bologna_ to _Florence_; and
returned thither againe like unto a Beast, notoriously baffulled and
disgraced.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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